Born in Germany and raised in Switzerland, Bernd Van Doornick came to Canada in 1968 to obtain a commercial helicopter pilot license. He worked for Dominion Pegasus Helicopters and Trans North Turbo Air (where he learned mountain flying) until returning to Switzerland in 1976. Working for Air Zermatt and Air Glaciers, he retired in 2007 with 24,000 hours and returned to Canada. Well known for Aerospatiale Lama demonstrations in Switzerland, Bernd is pictured flying his R44. The helicopter changed owners in June 2021.